5-year-old Cassy (above) and 21-year-old Eliza (below) are among 14 people who share their stories in our first public education video "Fighting meningococcal disease".

Eliza Stankovic caught the diseae while a student, and lost both her legs. Now she's a Paralympian champion.

MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE
Meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia

We help fight this deadly disease by working with Meningococcal Australia (see Support) and all the meningococcal and meningitis foundations in Australia, Canada, the US and the UK, as well as leading medical specialists, to produce written information and educational videos and DVDs for both the public and health professionals.

Our last weapon is the groundbreaking DVD "Managing meningococcal disease", which gives doctors and nurses comprehensive and practical advice on early diagnosis and treatment.

"About
three quarters of all deaths from meningococcal disease could
have been prevented with earlier diagnosis and treatment."- Dr Clayton Golledge, Clinical
microbiologist and meningococcal disease specialist.

Meningococcal disease is one of the most lethal infectious diseases known to man  because of the terrifying sddpeed with which it can kill or maim, and the difficulty of early diagnosis, even by experienced doctors. It can kill in a matter of hours. Most at risk are children up to the age of 5, and teenagers and young adults, aged 15 - 26.

It's vital for parents, teachers and child carers to be able
to recognise the symptoms at an early stage. Early detection,
and prompt treatment with antibiotics, can mean the difference
between life and death.

Public education videos'Fighting meningococcal disease' (33 min)* Silver Medal,
International Summit Creative Awards 2003, USA.Aimed at parents, teachers, child carers,
students and health professionals, this direct, informative
and practical video tells
you all you need to know to recognise the symptoms and protect
yourself and your family against this deadly disease.

"One of the best and most moving
educational videos that I've ever seen ... it should be seen
by all medical professionals..."- Dr John Vinen, Director of Emergency Support Services,
Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney.

"Don't
catch the killer' (23 mins)
Aimed at students in schools, universities and colleges, this
video draws on the experience of six young adults who battled
the disease and pass on their frank advice to help others
recognise the symptoms and seek assistance in time.

"It is well produced, educationally
sound and appropriate for students in Department of Education
and Training schools. All government schools would benefit
from the use of this resource.'- Paul Albert, Director General, Dept of Education and
Training, Western Australia.

"They found it very informative
and confronting - it kept two combined classes silent which
is no mean feat! As a parent (15yo and 17yo) and teacher,
I found it very good.'- Linda Herbert, Teacher Science-Biology, Years 11-12,
SCECGS Redlands, Sydney.